Longest and Fastest Ziplines in the USA (2026 Guide)

If you want the longest and fastest ziplines in the 50 states, the strongest current claim belongs to WildSide’s MegaZip in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, at 5,771 feet. If speed matters more, Historic Banning Mills in Georgia publishes a top speed of 70-75 mph for its 2,500-foot Screaming Eagle. And if you include the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico, Toro Verde’s 8,300-foot Monster changes the comparison completely, with a published top speed of up to 95 mph. [S1][S9][S15]

That sounds straightforward until you start comparing zipline “records.”

Some attractions measure one uninterrupted cable. Others add every line in a multi-hour course. Some advertise maximum speeds that vary with rider weight and conditions. Others emphasize height rather than speed.

So instead of giving you another misleading list of superlatives, this guide compares the biggest U.S. ziplines by what you actually experience: single-line length, published speed, height, course format, current price, restrictions, and time commitment.

Prices and requirements were checked August 21, 2026. Always confirm them directly before booking.

A single 5,000-foot flight is not the same record as a multi-line course totaling several miles.

The Longest and Fastest Ziplines at a Glance

Experience	Location	What Stands Out	Published Speed	Price Checked Aug. 2026
MegaZip – WildSide	Pigeon Forge, TN	5,771-ft continuous line; strongest current 50-state length claim	Up to 55 mph	$69.99-$79.99
CataMonster – Catamount	NY/MA border	5,523-ft continuous dual zipline	55+ mph reported by regional tourism authority	$99
Icy Strait Point ZipRider	Hoonah, AK	5,495-ft descent; six parallel cables	Up to 60 mph operator figure	Varies by cruise line
Screaming Eagle – Banning Mills	Whitesburg, GA	Highest current mainland speed claim found in this research	70-75 mph	Level 4: $169-$179
Gunstock Zipline Tour	Gilford, NH	1.6-mile multi-line tour with 70-mph Recoil Zip	Up to 70 mph	$85
Gravity Ziplines	West Virginia	3,150-ft finale and 1.5+ miles of cable	Up to 65 mph	From $104
HighFlyer – Foxwoods	Mashantucket, CT	Nearly one-mile rooftop-to-ground flight	Up to 60 mph	From $67
Cloudscraper – Royal Gorge	Cañon City, CO	1,200 ft above the Arkansas River	Not the focus	$54.95 + park admission
The Monster – Toro Verde*	Orocovis, PR	8,300-ft line in a U.S. territory	Up to 95 mph	$114.99 + taxes/fees

*Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, not one of the 50 states, so it is treated separately in this guide. [S16]

Record-scale zipline experiences range from Alaska and New England to the Smokies, Appalachians, Colorado and Puerto Rico.

First, Decide What “Longest” Actually Means

Zipline rankings get messy because four different measurements are often treated as though they mean the same thing.

A single-span length is the distance you travel without leaving that cable. For a traveler chasing one enormous flight, this is usually the number that matters most.

A combined course length adds multiple ziplines together. A 10-mile course may be an enormous adventure, but that does not mean you fly 10 miles in one shot.

A vertical drop measures how much elevation you lose between launch and landing. It can dramatically affect the feeling of speed without making the cable the longest.

Finally, height above the ground or terrain describes exposure. A shorter zipline suspended over a canyon can feel more intimidating than a longer line following a mountainside.

Speed has another complication: most numbers published by attractions are maximum or “up to” figures, not guaranteed speeds. Rider weight, braking, wind, cable grade, and operating conditions can all matter.

That is why this guide does not crown one attraction “best” based on a single number.

1. MegaZip at WildSide: Best for the Longest Single Flight in the 50 States

WildSide’s MegaZip in Pigeon Forge is the clearest current choice if your goal is one exceptionally long uninterrupted flight without leaving the 50 states.

The line measures 5,771 feet, or a little over 1.09 miles. WildSide publishes speeds of up to 55 mph, a launch elevation of 2,472 feet, and roughly 1,100 feet of vertical descent. Four parallel lines let up to four people make the descent alongside one another. [S1]

The record claim is also relatively easy to trace. When MegaZip opened in April 2025, Southern Living reported that its 5,771-foot span exceeded the 5,523-foot CataMonster, the previous headline U.S. contender. ZipRider, the company behind the system, currently describes MegaZip as America’s longest zipline. [S2]

What the experience involves

MegaZip is not simply a walk-up launch.

The experience includes a demonstration zip, transportation up the mountain, gear and instruction, followed by the main line. WildSide recommends allowing roughly 1.5 to 2 hours from check-in through completion. [S1]

As of August 2026, published pricing is $69.99-$79.99. An optional helmet-mounted ride video is listed at $19.99. [S1]

Current requirements include:

Minimum age: 10
Ages 10-15 must have an adult present
Height: 48-82 inches
Weight: 50-260 pounds
Closed-toe shoes required

WildSide says the ride can operate in rain but may pause or be rescheduled during severe weather such as thunderstorms or high winds. Its general weather policy provides vouchers rather than weather refunds. [S1]

Who should choose it?

MegaZip makes the most sense if you want the bragging rights of an unusually long single ride but do not want to dedicate half a day to a technical canopy course.

Its demo line and controlled-speed trolley also make the format relatively approachable for a first-time zipliner who meets the restrictions, although the scale and exposure are still very real.

2. CataMonster at Catamount: Best Long Dual Zipline in the Northeast

Catamount Mountain Resort’s CataMonster remains significant even though it lost the broader length lead after MegaZip opened.

The CataMonster itself measures 5,523 feet in one flight, and its defining feature is the dual configuration: two people can descend on parallel lines. ZipRider currently describes it as the longest dual zipline in the country. [S4]

The full format includes a training experience, a roughly 900-foot Ridge Zip, and then the CataMonster descent from the mountain toward the base area.

Catamount’s current booking system showed a $99 ZipTour ticket when checked on August 21, 2026. [S3]

Current participant documentation requires riders to be:

At least 10 years old
Accompanied by an adult if ages 10-15
At least 48 inches and no more than 82 inches tall
Over 50 pounds and no more than 260 pounds [S5]

Why the record wording is confusing

Some Catamount pages and booking copy still use broad “longest zipline in the USA” language, while the resort also uses the more defensible longest dual zipline description. Meanwhile, WildSide’s newer line is 248 feet longer.

For travelers, the distinction is easy: choose CataMonster because you want one of America’s longest continuous lines and the side-by-side Northeast mountain format, not because an old article still calls it the longest overall.

Only 276 feet separate these three exceptionally long U.S. single-flight ziplines.

3. Icy Strait Point ZipRider: Best Giant Zipline for an Alaska Cruise

The Icy Strait Point ZipRider near Hoonah is one of the most dramatic combinations of scale, descent, scenery, and travel logistics on this list.

The current Icy Strait Point page gives the line a length of 5,495 feet, a launch 1,330 feet above sea level, six side-by-side cables, a 25% grade, and speeds reaching up to 60 mph. The full excursion is listed at roughly 1.5 hours. [S6]

One research detail deserves attention. ZipRider’s manufacturer page lists a 65-mph top speed for the same installation, while Icy Strait Point itself currently says up to 60 mph. [S6][S7]

For a traveler-facing article, the operator’s current 60-mph figure is the more conservative number to use. The discrepancy is a good reminder not to treat every speed figure as an exact measurement.

Current weight limits are 75-275 pounds. Guests 16 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian under the operator’s stated arrangements. Icy Strait Point also says the experience is not suitable for expectant mothers or people with back or neck injuries. [S6]

The big logistical difference

This is primarily a cruise excursion.

ZipRider states that reservations normally need to be made through the cruise line. Its manufacturer currently gives an average ticket price of about $200, but actual prices vary by cruise line, so that should not be treated as a guaranteed booking price. [S7]

Choose Icy Strait Point if the zipline is part of a larger Alaska cruise decision. It makes much less sense to compare its price directly with a roadside attraction in Tennessee or New Hampshire.

4. Screaming Eagle at Historic Banning Mills: Best for Published Top Speed

If your priority is speed rather than one-mile length, Historic Banning Mills deserves serious attention.

Its Level 4 Extreme Zip Line Canopy Tour includes Screaming Eagle, a 2,500-foot zipline that the operator says reaches 70-75 mph. That is the highest current published speed claim we found among the 50-state attractions researched for this article. [S9]

There is an important qualification: this is an operator-published maximum, not an independently certified national “fastest zipline” record.

That distinction should stay in the article.

The experience is much bigger than one line

Level 4 is a progressive canopy tour rather than a single attraction. It incorporates the earlier tour levels, bridges, long lines, and then Screaming Eagle.

Current Level 4 pricing is:

$169 per person on lower-priced days
$179 Friday-Sunday
Approximately 3.5-4 hours
Minimum age: 10
Weight range: 90-250 pounds for female riders and up to 285 pounds for male riders, according to the operator’s current rules [S9]

That makes Banning Mills a very different purchase from MegaZip. You are paying for a substantial guided aerial course, not just one record-scale descent.

It also holds a different kind of record

Guinness World Records lists Historic Banning Mills’ Screaming Eagle course as the record holder for longest zip wire course by combined length, measuring 39,127 feet (11.92 km) when verified on November 17, 2012. The measured course contained 135 ziplines at that time. [S10]

That historical record should not be presented as a 39,127-foot single zipline.

Banning Mills currently says completing its full world-record course is a two-day undertaking, illustrating how different a combined-course record is from MegaZip’s single uninterrupted flight.

5. Gunstock Mountain Resort: Best Value for a 70-MPH Mountain Tour

Gunstock in New Hampshire deserves more attention in “fastest zipline” comparisons than it usually gets.

Its 2026 Zipline Tour covers more than 1.6 miles across several lines, lasts about 90 minutes, and includes the Recoil Zip, where the resort publishes a maximum speed of 70 mph. [S11]

The current 2026 price is $85, making it notably less expensive than several other high-speed multi-line tours.

Participant requirements are:

Age 10+
Height 4 feet to 6 feet 8 inches
Weight 50-260 pounds
Ages 10-15 must ride with a participating adult
Closed-toe, closed-heel footwear required

Reservations are required, and Gunstock asks guests to arrive at least 30 minutes before the tour. [S11]

For someone who cares more about hitting a high published speed than owning the longest single line bragging right, Gunstock offers a strong balance of price, duration, and intensity.

Published maximum speeds vary widely, but they should be treated as operator claims rather than guaranteed rider speeds.

6. Gravity Ziplines: Best High-Speed Choice at New River Gorge

Gravity Ziplines at Adventures on the Gorge in West Virginia is another strong speed-first option.

The operator lists more than 1.5 miles of cables, heights exceeding 200 feet, and speeds up to 65 mph. The finale, Adrena-Line, measures 3,150 feet. [S8]

Current pricing starts at $104, and the experience takes roughly 2-3 hours.

Requirements include:

Minimum age: 12
Weight: 100-260 pounds
Closed-toe shoes
Signed waiver
Enough mobility to use your arms and hands for body position and steering

The operator says riders do not perform their own hand braking on this course; guides or automatic braking systems handle slowing. Pregnant participants are not permitted. [S8]

The major advantage here is destination value. If you are already building an adventure trip around the New River Gorge region, a fast zipline can fit naturally alongside rafting, hiking, climbing, and other outdoor activities.

7. HighFlyer at Foxwoods: Best for a Rooftop Launch

HighFlyer in Mashantucket, Connecticut, proves that a memorable zipline does not need to start on a remote mountain.

The attraction launches from a 350-foot-high rooftop, runs nearly one mile, and lists a top speed of 60 mph. Four parallel cables make up one long flight. [S12]

Current off-peak adult pricing starts at $67.

The unusual part is the eligibility rule: there is no specific minimum age, but riders must weigh between 65 and 300 pounds. Minors need a parent or guardian to complete the waiver. The whole process normally takes around 45 minutes to one hour. [S12]

This is one of the better choices if you want a big visual launch and high speed without committing half a day to hiking between canopy platforms.

8. Cloudscraper at Royal Gorge: Best if Height Scares You More Than Speed

Cloudscraper earns its place here for a different reason.

Royal Gorge Bridge & Park calls it America’s highest zipline, with riders traveling approximately 1,200 feet above the Arkansas River on two parallel lines. [S13]

That makes it a useful example of why “most extreme” cannot be determined by speed or cable length alone. For many people, looking down into a canyon will create far more psychological intensity than hitting another 10 mph.

Current restrictions include:

Age 10+
Weight 100-245 pounds
Height 4 feet to 6 feet 8 inches
Weather-dependent operation
GoPro cameras prohibited

The zipline ride is currently $54.95, but you must also purchase admission to Royal Gorge Bridge & Park. Adult online admission was $39.95 when checked, making the minimum listed adult combination $94.90 before any applicable taxes or fees. The zipline closes during January and February for annual inspections. [S14]

Choose Cloudscraper for exposure and canyon scenery, not because it wins the raw speed or distance rankings.

What About The Monster in Puerto Rico?

If you use “USA” to include U.S. territories, the ranking changes immediately.

Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, and Toro Verde Adventure Park in Orocovis operates The Monster, which the operator lists at:

8,300 feet
1.57 miles
Up to 95 mph
More than 380 meters high
Horizontal, face-down flight position [S15][S16]

That is dramatically longer and faster on paper than the 50-state options covered above.

Illustrative view of a face-down mountain zipline in Puerto Rico. The Monster at Toro Verde is a specific real attraction and should be shown with licensed operator or editorial imagery when available.

As of August 2026, The Monster costs $114.99 per person plus taxes and service fees. Riders must weigh between 100 and 270 pounds, be at least 4 feet tall, wear closed-toe shoes, and arrive at least 30 minutes before the activity. [S15]

Toro Verde is in the central mountains around 1.5 hours from San Juan, so this is not a quick resort-zone add-on. It works best as part of a Puerto Rico road trip or dedicated adventure day.

For clarity, our recommendation is simple:

Call WildSide MegaZip the longest single continuous zipline among the 50 states, and discuss The Monster separately as the much longer Puerto Rico option.

That wording gives readers useful information without pretending that “America,” “USA,” “mainland,” “contiguous United States,” and “50 states” are interchangeable.

Which Zipline Should You Choose?

Choose WildSide MegaZip if your priority is the longest continuous flight available in the 50 states and you want a relatively compact 1.5-to-2-hour experience.

Choose CataMonster if you are in the Northeast and want an unusually long dual zipline that lets you fly beside another person.

Choose Icy Strait Point if you are taking an Alaska cruise and want your zipline to be part of the destination experience rather than a standalone attraction.

Choose Historic Banning Mills if chasing the highest published mainland speed matters more than having the longest single cable, and you are happy with a longer multi-stage adventure.

Choose Gunstock if you want a high published speed, a mountain setting, and an $85 price point.

Choose Gravity Ziplines if you are planning a New River Gorge adventure trip and want a fast 2-to-3-hour aerial experience.

Choose HighFlyer if you want a shorter time commitment and the unusual sensation of launching from the roof of a high-rise resort tower.

Choose Cloudscraper if exposure and canyon height excite you more than speed statistics.

Choose The Monster if Puerto Rico is on your travel list and you specifically want the biggest raw length-and-speed numbers covered in this guide.

Do 70 MPH and 75 MPH Really Mean You Will Travel That Fast?

Not necessarily.

An operator’s “up to 70 mph” figure should be read as a published maximum, not a promise that every rider will hit 70 mph.

Actual ride characteristics can be affected by factors including rider weight, cable slope, braking systems, wind, temperature, and operational decisions.

There is also no single public national database certifying the everyday top speed of every commercial zipline attraction. For that reason, we describe Banning Mills’ 70-75 mph figure as the highest current published speed claim we verified among the 50-state attractions researched, rather than declaring it an independently proven national speed record.

That wording is less exciting than a giant “FASTEST IN AMERICA” headline, but it is considerably more useful.

Are Record-Breaking Ziplines Suitable for Beginners?

A long zipline does not automatically require advanced athletic skill.

Several attractions on this list use training lines, guide instruction, fitted harness systems, or automatic/operator-assisted braking. MegaZip, for example, begins with a demo zip. Gunstock includes hands-on training. [S1][S11]

But “beginner-friendly” does not mean risk-free or suitable for everyone.

The harder part for many first-timers is psychological: stepping from a launch platform, trusting the system, and remaining comfortable with sustained exposure.

Physical requirements also vary substantially. One attraction may accept a 50-pound rider while another requires 100 pounds. Some tours include stairs, hiking, suspended bridges, uneven terrain, or several hours of activity.

That is why you should choose based on the whole experience, not just the line’s headline speed.

Participant rules, equipment fitting and instruction matter more to your booking decision than a headline speed record.

Zipline Safety: What to Check Before Booking

Ziplining is an inherently elevated adventure activity. Equipment, course design, operating procedures, weather decisions, and rider behavior all matter.

Industry frameworks exist. ACCT International identifies standards for challenge courses and canopy/zipline tours, and ASTM F2959 covers aerial adventure courses. But the existence of industry standards does not prove that one attraction is safer than another, and a traveler should not infer individual operator compliance unless there is specific support for that claim. [S17]

Weight range. Weight limits are operational requirements, not suggestions. They can also change because of wind or temperature on some systems.

Age and supervision rule. A child being old enough to ride does not necessarily mean an adult can wait at the bottom.

Mobility requirement. Multi-line canopy tours can involve stairs, bridges, hiking, climbing, and standing on elevated platforms.

Medical restrictions. Pregnancy and certain back, neck, cardiac, neurological, or mobility concerns may affect eligibility depending on the operator. Review the operator’s wording and speak with an appropriate healthcare professional if you have a medical concern.

Weather policy. Thunderstorms, lightning, high winds, rain, heat, and other conditions can interrupt operations.

Cancellation policy. Weather vouchers are not the same as refunds.

Camera rule. Do not assume your GoPro or phone can be attached to you. Cloudscraper, for example, currently prohibits GoPros, while some other attractions sell their own video systems. [S1][S13]

Most importantly, never hide your weight, health concern, or mobility limitation simply to qualify for a ride.

Before You Book a Record-Scale Zipline

Use this quick checklist:

Confirm the attraction is operating on your travel date.
Recheck the current ticket price.
Look for mandatory park admission or other fees.
Verify the minimum and maximum weight.
Check height and age requirements.
Read rules for minors and guardians.
Check the physical-effort description.
Review relevant health restrictions.
Read the weather and cancellation policy.
Wear the required footwear.
Check whether personal cameras are allowed.
Complete waivers in advance when possible.
Arrive at the operator’s recommended check-in time.
Allow extra time if the ride depends on a gondola, chairlift, shuttle, or mountain transfer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the longest zipline in the USA?

If you mean the 50 states, WildSide’s MegaZip in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee has the strongest current claim among the attractions verified for this guide at 5,771 feet on one continuous line. It opened in 2025 and surpassed Catamount’s 5,523-foot CataMonster. [S1][S2]

If you include Puerto Rico, Toro Verde’s The Monster is much longer at 8,300 feet. Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory rather than a state. [S15][S16]

What is the fastest zipline in the United States?

Among the current 50-state operators researched for this article, Historic Banning Mills publishes the highest figure we verified: 70-75 mph on Screaming Eagle.

However, we did not find an independent national speed certification that proves it is categorically the fastest operating zipline in every circumstance, so it is more accurate to call this the highest verified current operator-published speed claim in our comparison. [S9]

Puerto Rico’s The Monster publishes a substantially higher maximum of 95 mph. [S15]

Is CataMonster still the longest zipline in America?

Not overall.

CataMonster remains an exceptionally long 5,523-foot continuous dual zipline, and Catamount/ZipRider describes it as the longest dual zipline in the country. But WildSide’s MegaZip is longer at 5,771 feet. [S1][S4]

Which high-speed zipline offers the best value?

There is no universal winner because the packages are very different, but Gunstock stands out on straightforward 2026 pricing: $85 for a roughly 90-minute multi-line tour with a published maximum of 70 mph.

WildSide is cheaper at $69.99-$79.99 and provides a much longer single flight, but its published maximum is 55 mph. [S1][S11]

Choose based on whether you care more about single-flight length or peak speed.

Which zipline is best for someone afraid of heights?

There is no universal answer because fear is personal.

A first-timer may find a training zip and controlled-speed system easier psychologically than stepping directly into a canyon-scale experience. Conversely, some people prefer one very long ride over spending hours repeatedly launching from elevated platforms.

If exposure is your main fear, pay attention to launch design and height above terrain, not just length. Cloudscraper’s 1,200-foot canyon exposure, for example, may feel much more intimidating than a longer cable that follows a wooded mountainside. [S13]

Do I need previous ziplining experience?

Most of the major attractions in this guide do not require previous ziplining experience, but they do require you to meet their physical and participant restrictions.

Training formats vary. MegaZip includes a demo line, Gunstock provides training before its mountain lines, and Catamount includes orientation before the major spans. [S1][S4][S11]

Final Recommendation

Do not choose a record-scale zipline by asking only, “Which one is the biggest?”

Ask what kind of record you actually want.

For the longest continuous flight in the 50 states, start with WildSide MegaZip.

For the highest published speed claim in our 50-state comparison, look at Screaming Eagle at Historic Banning Mills.

For an Alaska bucket-list descent, Icy Strait Point offers a completely different setting.

For extreme canyon exposure, Cloudscraper stands apart.

And if Puerto Rico fits your definition of a U.S. adventure trip, The Monster dominates the numbers in this comparison at 8,300 feet and a published maximum of 95 mph.

The best choice is not automatically the ride with the largest statistic. It is the one whose length, intensity, price, restrictions, location, and time commitment all fit the trip you actually want to take.